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Osamu Dazai

太宰治 1909-06-19 – 1948-06-13 日本語版へ

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Biography

Born in Kanagi village, Kita-Tsugaru District, Aomori Prefecture, in 1909, the sixth son of major landowner Tsushima Gen'emon. His real name was Tsushima Shūji. After Hirosaki Higher School, he dropped out of the French Department of Tokyo Imperial University. Inspired by Akutagawa, he pursued literature while engaging in left-wing activities, repeated suicide attempts, drug addiction, and double suicide pacts. He debuted in 1933 with "Train" (Ressha) and studied under Ibuse Masuji. His first collection "Late Years" (Bannen, 1936) marked his official debut. After enduring wartime hardships, he achieved bestseller fame with "The Setting Sun" (Shayō, 1947) and "No Longer Human" (Ningen Shikkaku, 1948). Other works include "Run, Melos" (Hashire Merosu), "Otogi-zōshi" (Fairy Tales), "Tsugaru", "Villon's Wife" (Viyon no Tsuma), and "Cherries" (Ōtō). He was a central figure of the Burai-ha (Decadent school). In 1948, he committed double suicide by drowning with his mistress Yamazaki Tomie in the Tamagawa Aqueduct at age 38. June 19, the day his body was found (also his birthday), is commemorated as "Ōtōki" (Cherry Memorial Day).

Literary Schools / Movements

Burai-ha (Decadent school)

Publication Venues (24 venues)Click to filter works by venue

Selected Works (244 works recorded in Aozora Bunko)

  • 列車 (Ressha) (1933)
  • 魚服記 (Sakana Fuku Ki) (1933)
  • 魚服記に就て (Sakana Fuku Ki ni Te) (1933)
  • 思ひ出 (Omohi De) (1933)
  • 断崖の錯覚 (Dangai no Sakkaku) (1934)
  • 葉 (Ha) (1934)
  • 猿面冠者 (Sarumen Kanja) (1934)
  • 彼は昔の彼ならず (Kare wa Mukashi no Kare Nara Zu) (1934)
  • ロマネスク (Romanesuku) (1934)
  • 道化の華 (Dōke no Hana) (1935)
  • 玩具 (Omocha) (1935)
  • 雀こ (Suzume Ko) (1935)
  • もの思う葦 (Mono Omō Ashi) (1935)
  • 猿ヶ島 (Saru Tō) (1935)
  • ダス・ゲマイネ (Dasugemaine) (1935)
  • 逆行 (Gyakkō) (1935)
  • 「地球図」序 (Chikyū Zu Jo) (1935)
  • 地球図 (Chikyū Zu) (1935)
  • めくら草紙 (Mekura Sōshi) (1936)
  • もの思う葦 (Mono Omō Ashi) (1936)
  • 人物に就いて (Jimbutsu ni Tsui Te) (1936)
  • 碧眼托鉢 (Hekigan Takuhatsu) (1936)
  • 陰火 (Inka) (1936)
  • 古典竜頭蛇尾 (Koten Ryūtōdabi) (1936)
  • 雌に就いて (Mesu ni Tsui Te) (1936)
  • 悶悶日記 (Mommon Nikki) (1936)
  • 虚構の春 (Kyokō no Haru) (1936)
  • 喝采 (Kassai) (1936)
  • 狂言の神 (Kyōgen no Kami) (1936)
  • 先生三人 (Sensei San Nin) (1936)

Showing top 30 of 244 works. Read in Japanese for full list.

References